Local Area Crime Statistics

Lancaster Crime Rate

Crime is stable and HIGH in Lancaster

Lancaster's crime rate is 107.7 per 1,000 residents, slightly above the UK average. With a safety score of 77/100, discover detailed crime statistics.

Overall Crime Rate

107.7
per 1,000 people
15% higher than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

31.2
per 1,000 people
6% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 145,006 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Lancaster

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Lancaster
Overall Crime Rate107.7 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate31.2 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score77 out of 100
Population145,006
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Lancaster
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences4,9283432%
Anti-social behaviour4,65132.130%
Criminal damage and arson1,3499.39%
Other theft8025.55%
Shoplifting7975.55%
Burglary7845.45%
Public order6594.54%
Vehicle crime5063.53%
Drugs3852.72%
Other crime3282.32%
Bicycle theft14811%
Possession of weapons14311%
Robbery740.50%
Theft from the person610.40%

About Lancaster

Lancaster, with a population of 145,006, reports an overall crime rate of 107.7 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is slightly above the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 77 out of 100, closely aligning with the UK average of 78, indicating a generally safe environment. Over the past year, crime rates in Lancaster have remained stable, showing a minor increase of 2.2% year-on-year. This introduction sets the context for a more detailed examination of crime trends and specific crime types affecting the Lancaster area.

Lancaster Safety Score

77
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Lancaster's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Lancaster

Morecambe

145.9
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Lancaster

128.3
per 1,000
Very High Risk

Heysham

94.0
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Carnforth

74.8
per 1,000
Low Risk

Caton

56.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Halton (Lancaster)

52.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Warton (Lancaster)

48.9
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Over Kellet

39.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Bolton-le-Sands

38.9
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Bailrigg

35.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Silverdale

28.9
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Hornby

17.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Understanding Crime in Lancaster

Lancaster is a historic city and a significant administrative centre, characterised by a mix of urban and suburban areas. Its diverse nature, including a prominent university, a bustling city centre with nightlife, and various transport hubs, contributes to its crime statistics. The presence of a large student population and a steady flow of tourists can lead to a more transient population, which sometimes correlates with certain types of crime such as theft and anti-social behaviour. Economic factors within the region, alongside the concentration of commercial activities, also play a role in shaping the local crime landscape, helping to explain the observed crime rate and safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
4,928 incidents (34 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
4,651 incidents (32.1 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,349 incidents (9.3 per 1,000)
Other theft
802 incidents (5.5 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
797 incidents (5.5 per 1,000)
Burglary
784 incidents (5.4 per 1,000)
Public order
659 incidents (4.5 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
506 incidents (3.5 per 1,000)
Drugs
385 incidents (2.7 per 1,000)
Other crime
328 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
148 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
143 incidents (1 per 1,000)
Robbery
74 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
61 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 5.4% change(over 12 months)
Lancaster
UK Average

Compare Lancaster with similar populations

Lancaster has a 15.3% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Breakdown in Lancaster

An analysis of crime types in Lancaster reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most significant, accounting for 4,928 crimes (34.0 per 1,000, 31.6% of the total). This is followed closely by Anti-social behaviour, with 4,651 incidents (32.1 per 1,000, 29.8% of the total). Criminal damage and arson constitute the third most frequent crime, with 1,349 cases (9.3 per 1,000, 8.6% of the total). Property-related crime, a key concern for residents and homeowners, includes burglary (784 crimes, 5.4 per 1,000), other theft (802 crimes, 5.5 per 1,000), vehicle crime (506 crimes, 3.5 per 1,000), bicycle theft (148 crimes, 1.0 per 1,000), robbery (74 crimes, 0.5 per 1,000), and theft from the person (61 crimes, 0.4 per 1,000). Combined with criminal damage and arson, these figures contribute to a property crime rate of 31.2 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This indicates that while property crime is present, it is not disproportionately high compared to the national picture, offering some reassurance to local residents and businesses.

Crime Trends in Lancaster

Over the past year, crime trends in Lancaster have remained stable, with a year-on-year change of 2.2%. Examining the monthly data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated. Starting at 9.3 in October 2024, it saw a dip to 8.4 in November and January, before rising to 9.3 in March and April. A peak of 9.5 was observed in May and August, with the rate settling at 8.8 in September 2025. This pattern suggests a generally consistent level of crime with minor seasonal variations rather than a significant upward or downward trajectory. For residents, a stable trend indicates that the overall crime situation is not rapidly deteriorating, but also highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and effective community safety measures.

Comparing Lancaster with Nearby Areas

When assessing crime in Lancaster, it is useful to compare its statistics with those of neighbouring areas. Lancaster's overall crime rate of 107.7 per 1,000 is higher than Ribble Valley, which typically exhibits lower crime figures, and is also above Wyre. However, it generally presents a more favourable picture when compared to more urbanised areas such as Preston and Blackpool, which often experience higher crime rates due to their larger populations and diverse urban activities. Fylde and Pendle also offer regional context, with Lancaster often sitting somewhere in the middle of the spectrum in terms of overall crime. This regional comparison helps to contextualise Lancaster's safety profile within the broader Lancashire area, showing it as an area with a moderate crime rate relative to its diverse neighbours.

Protecting Your Home in Lancaster

Given Lancaster's property crime rate of 31.2 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly below the national average, proactive home security remains a crucial consideration for residents. Traditional CCTV systems, while useful for recording incidents, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred. For genuine protection, a shift towards prevention is key. Consider implementing an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS. This technology offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary before a break-in can even happen. Unlike systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly catch fake plates. By learning your routines, scOS can differentiate between family, deliveries, and real threats, only alerting you when necessary. This autonomous response, which includes activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them move on within those crucial first 60 seconds. Investing in such professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, offering a robust alternative to reactive recording solutions.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Lancaster

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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